When all was said and done, nearly 200 volunteers turned out to lend a hand to those in need in a community-wide event spearheaded by Faithbridge Church in Osage Beach.
The goal was to partner with Feed the Children to distribute food to as many agencies and families as possible.
When the trucks loaded with the supplies arrived Saturday, there was no shortage of help as volunteers dispersed the food and sent it on its way.
While some of the food and hygiene supplies will stock the shelves of food pantries, other supplies will be handed out through the Buddy Backpack programs at schools.
The response was incredible, according to Faithbridge Senior Pastor Buck Cueni-Smith.
Everyone was ecstatic with the outcome, he said. From the volunteers who showed up to unload the trucks to the others who were at the seven locations where the supplies were sent, everyone really helped out.
The food program was made possible through the church’s 2009 Christmas offering.
“This was a service project people would really get involved with,” Cueni-Smith said.
About the drive
Faithbridge is partnering with the international hunger relief organization Feed the Children to provide the items for the Food Drop.
Other groups volunteering with the loading included Lake Ozark Fire Protection District, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Big Brothers and Rotary.
The following organizations and neighborhood groups will help coordinate food distribution to individual families, in addition to receiving food for their own kitchens and pantries:
Eldon Eldon School System
Lake Ozark Hope House
Osage Beach School of the Osage
Camdenton Camdenton Schools, Lamb House, Citizens Against Domestic Violence
Greenview/Sunrise Beach Share The Harvest
The Food Drop was timed this year for the tough months of January and February, when donations typically drop off and the need is greatest.
About the church
Faithbridge Church is a new church. It is a ministry of the United Methodist Church.
Faithbridge meets every Sunday at 9:45 a.m. All are welcome to check it out, a membership not needed and no perfect people allowed.
The idea behind the name, Faithbridge, is that the members want to bridge the gap between God to People, People to God, and People to People. Faithbridge’s worship is provided through scripture, music, media, and drama performances. The church also provides childcare via the Children’s Ministry, which has a program for children infant and older.
Location 885 College Blvd, Osage Beach, MO, 65065
Phone 573-348-9454
Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sun: 8:30-11 a.m.
ONLINE www.faithbridgelakechurch.com
Contact the Lake Sun newsroom at newsroom@lakesunonline.com
Osage Beach, Mo. —
